Tommy Lee Jones Talks EMPEROR, Surprises During Research, and More; Also Comments on His Next Directing Gig, THE HOMESMAN

Opening this weekend in limited release is director Peter Webber’s (Girl with a Pearl Earring) historical drama Emperor. The film takes place during the days following the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II and stars Tommy Lee Jones as General Douglas MacArthur, the de facto ruler of Japan as Supreme Commander of the occupying forces. Matthew Fox plays a leading Japanese expert on the staff of MacArthur who is tasked with deciding whether or not Emperor Hirohito should be tried as a war criminal. Fox’s mission becomes more complicated as he searches for a school teacher (Eriko Hatsune) who first drew him to Japan years before the war. For more on the film, watch these three clips.

A few days ago, we got to speak with Jones. He talked about the research he did, what surprised him about MacArthur, collaborating with Peter Webber to make sure the film was an accurate depiction and not a Hollywood version of the events, script changes, and more. In addition, Jones talked about The Homesman, which he’ll be directing next month. Hit the jump to watch.

Finally, a huge thank you to Jami Philbrick for doing the interview for us. He stepped in for me last minute due to my recent surgery for appendicitis.

Tommy Lee Jones

What kind of research did he do

What surprised him to learn during his research

How did he collaborate with Peter Webber to make sure the film was an accurate depiction and not a Hollywood version of the events

Deleted scenes talk

Does he like watching himself on screen

How did the script change during production

Any improvisation on the set

Talks about his next directing project called The Homesman and what it’s about. Says they start shooting in a month

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